Harry Holland was born in Glasgow in 1941. After moving around the UK for a while, his family eventually settled in London around 1951. It is there, at the prestigious Saint Martin’s School of Art, where he studied between 1965 and 1969, and where he took part in the graduation exhibition. After some time working as a copyist and illustrator, Holland became a teacher, first at Coventry College of Art, and subsequently in Stourbridge and Hull, before moving to the Cardiff School of Art in 1973.
His own practice was still relatively malleable during this period. It was only in 1978, following a purchase by collector Charles Saatchi, that Holland decided to focus exclusively on painting.
Although he was heralded as one of the four main painters of promise by critic William Packer in 1978, Holland cares very little for trends and fads. He finds meaning in the medium’s lasting heritages, drawing from myths, appropriating figuration and celebrating still life. Whatever the theme of the subject, Holland’s style and sensibility shine through, never erased by his technical ability or craftsmanship.
As one of Britain’s most distinguished painters, Holland has exhibited in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Brussels, Hamburg, Cologne, Stockholm, Athens and Vienna.
He lives and works in Cardiff.
